Destruction of Freon HFC-134a Using a Nozzleless Microwave Plasma Source

In this paper, results of the pyrolysis of Freon HFC-134a (tetrafluoroethane C2H2F4) in an atmospheric pressure microwave plasma are presented. A waveguide-based nozzleless cylinder-type microwave plasma source (MPS) was used to produce plasma for the destruction of Freon HFC-134a. The processed gaseous Freon HFC-134a at a flow rate of 50–212 l min−1 was introduced to the plasma by four gas ducts which formed a swirl flow in the plasma reactor (a quartz cylinder). The absorbed microwave power was 0.6–3 kW. The experimental results showed that the Freon was converted into carbon black, hydrogen and fluorine. The total conversion degree of HFC-134a was up to 84% with selectivity of 100% towards H2, F2 and C2, which means that there was no conversion of HFC-134a into other hydrocarbons. The Freon destruction mass rate and corresponding energetic mass yield were up to 34.5 kg h−1 and 34.4 kg per kWh of microwave energy absorbed by the plasma, respectively.